Discovery Center's Adult Rock Band Party and Contest

October 22, 2009 – 6-10pm
Doors open at 6:00pm- Contest begins at 6:30pm. Adults 18 and up select your favorite songs and see your character on the big screen. Your character will be judged on score, skill and style. So dress up like your favorite rock star and rock out at Discovery Center's first Rock Band Party. This will be located in Discovery Center auditorium on the big screen. Every style and song will be available for the competition. Admission includes individual participation in the contest ,free play and watching fellow gamers.
Admission is $10 per person. Food and adult beverages will be available to purchase
First Come First Serve for contest slots.

Science Sprout Museum Days

October 16, 2009- 9-5pm
Museum Days just for Early Childhood Learners (up to age 6). Includes special free science presentations and science story time geared to young learners. Groups may schedule 30 minute programs for an additional fee. For Kindergarten or 1^st grade classes, MOPS groups, day care providers, preschools, playgroups and families. Explore the fun of science and science of fun. Pre-registration required for group rate. General admission applies for individuals. Science Story time on that day will be at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. A special early learners Brain Byte will happen at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Science Cafe October 8th 6-8pm

Science Cafe for Adults ~ Stimulating conversation. Informal Setting.

Trolley's Bar & Grill 107 Park Central Square Level 2

1 Part Science
1 Part Intriguing Discussion
1 Part Good Food & Drink

What do you get when you mix an evening of intriguing conversation, good food and drink, and ....science? A Science Café, of course! The Science Cafe concept -- an informal discussion surrounding cutting edge science and research -- is coming to Springfield!

In keeping with its mission to inspire lifelong learning, Discovery Center is excited to partner with the new Jordan Valley Innovation Center to host Springfield's first Science Café, From Benchtop to Bedside. This discussion will be led by researchers from St. John's Medical Research Institute.

This adult only event is free to attend and has limited seating; food and beverage are available for purchase.

October Discussion: Polymers, Plastics and Polyaniline

Presenter: Eve Fabrizio, Project Coordinator for Crosslink/JVIC, will discuss the innovative applications of a unique, electricity-carrying plastic called polyaniline.

With locations in Springfield, St Louis and the University of Southern Mississippi, Crosslink is an industry leader working with polyaniline (PANI), an electrically conductive plastic. And if that isn’t intriguing enough, PANI can also release a substance that protects our armed forces from biological and chemical warfare agents. Join us for the October Science Café to learn how PANI’s unique qualities are being shaped into equally innovative materials by Crosslink!

Salvation Army School Supply Drive at DCS Update

Back to School Drive is coming to an end today. Discovery Center has collected school supplies for Salvation Army for the past 9 years and this year was another successful year due to visitors committed to education and children. We were very excited with two business started collecting. Shown here is St Johns Admitting office. Also like to thank Joe Robles with State Farm for encouraging his clients and staff to also participate in donating school items to Salvation Army.

Things That Make You Go Hmmm

What do abrupt changes in ocean circulation and Earth's climate, shifts in wildlife populations and ecosystems, the global finance market and its system-wide crashes, and asthma attacks and epileptic seizures have in common?

According to a paper published this week in the journal Nature, all share generic early-warning signals that indicate a critical threshold of change dead ahead.

SkySchool-Hands on Astronomy

SkySchool-Hands on Astronomy
September 25-27, 2009
Hands-on astronomy! Three days of a variety of learning experiences designed to help both teachers and students explore astronomy topics, content and resources.

Sky School for Kids

Friday 9/25- 9 a.m-4 p.m.-exploration stations throughout the museum, one hour rocket making classes (11 a.m. and 2 p.m.-$6 per person, plus general admission), Star Party 5 p.m.-8 p.m.

Sunday 9/27-1p.m-4p.m.-exploration stations throughout the museum

Sky School for Educators (Advance registration required)

Friday 9/25-4p.m.-6p.m.-Teachers grades K-4-Topic-Travel through the Solar System-Cost $40 per teacher. Fee includes Toolkit with variety of resources to be able to replicate activities in classroom, hands-on practice with various activities, snack and supplies.

Saturday 9/26-10 a.m.-12 p.m.-Teachers of grades 3-6-Topic-Moon- Cost $40 per teacher. Fee includes Toolkit with variety of resources to be able to replicate activities in classroom, hands-on practice with various activities, snack and supplies.

OR

Saturday 9/26-2p.m.-4p.m.-Teachers of grades 5-8-Topic-Mars- Cost $40 per teacher. Fee includes Toolkit with variety of resources to be able to replicate activities in classroom, hands-on practice with various activities, snack and supplies.

Star Party

Star Party
September 25, 2009 5-8pm
Continue to celebrate International Year of Astronomy 2009 with Discovery Center and Springfield Astronomical Society. Discovery Center wants 150,000 individuals to look at the world through a telescope. Join us for a chance to look through a telescope. Star Party on Patio Free, admission applies for inside the museum.